Manor Club celebrates bumper year with another record turnout with U’s legend Ron Atkinson

Oxford United in the Community celebrated a record breaking year for its monthly social outlet for supporters aged 50 plus this week in the company of club legend Ron Atkinson.

The Manor Club for the Over 50s has been connecting senior U’s fans for eight years by inviting them to spend an afternoon in the company of a guest speaker at Cowley Workers Social Club on the first Wednesday of each month during the season.

It started with the purpose of reducing the risk of older U’s fans that might live on their own developing feelings of loneliness and isolation by helping them create new connections with likeminded people.

Big Ron’s Manor Club debut attracted a record-breaking 130 guests as he shared stories of yesteryear from his time at Oxford United, his managerial career including winning the FA Cup twice and as a pundit.

His visit capped a bumper year for the Manor Club which broke its record attendance three times since September, with guest speakers this year including Milk Cup winning skipper Malcolm Shotton, former U’s boss Des Buckingham and Steve Perryman MBE.

Oxford United Club Ambassador Peter Rhoades-Brown was pleased to round-off this year’s Manor Club schedule with a bang.

“The Manor Club has stepped up to new levels this year,” he said. “We have a fantastic core audience of regulars who have supported the programme from day one, and we’re continually welcoming new guests.

“To have 130 people attend our final event for this season was special, and our thanks go to Ron for being so generous with his time.

“This is our way of connecting supporters who otherwise might have nothing to do during the week, which understandably can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

“It’s so pleasing to see friendship groups develop through the Manor Club and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Cowley Workers Social Club for our ninth season of delivery in September.”